Onyx (Lux #2)

Title: Onyx (Lux #2) 
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout  
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 366

My Review:

BEING CONNECTED TO DAEMON BLACK SUCKS…
Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.
SOMETHING WORSE THAN ARUM HAS COME TO TOWN
The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there’s this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that’s possible. Against all common sense, I’m falling for Daemon. Hard.
BUT THEN, EVERYTHING CHANGES
I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?
NO ONE IS WHO THEY SEEM. AND NOT EVERYONE WILL SURVIVE THE LIES. -goodreads.com

Loved being back in Kat and Daemon's world. It's been a cool min. since I last read Obsidian (read my review for book one HERE).

Kat grew on me this book, not that I didn't like her in book 1, but she was way more realistic in Onyx. She’s not surrounded by the typical halo of perfection (as I like to call it), which some authors bathe their main characters with. Daemon on the other hand was even more perfect... He is equal parts good and bad, danger and comfort. It surprised me that we got so much Daemon and Katy time bc in book 1 we literally get one kiss like 200 pages in. I hated it, it was torture!

The only thing I constantly hated about this book was Kat's stupid attitude towards Daemons' feelings towards her. "He can't possible like me, it's just out connection" 😒 really? You have to be f*ing dense to believe that after all the effort the guy puts into visiting/spending time w you! OMG, the thanksgiving scene when he brings her dinner. I almost cried, that scene had me hard core wishing men/aliens like Daemon actually existed.

I hate the DOD and they hardly make an appearance, they're only mentioned. Like, I get they're the bad guys but why do the Lux always have to check in with them? Why not just go super saiyan on their asses? Slight spoiler (highlight to read): AND THE DOCTOR! AHHHHH! I hope he dies a slow and painful death. I'm a little confused on the whole willing mutation? So it won't stick since Dae wasn't willing? I'm guessing I'll get more answers in book 3, Opal. 

Waiting on Wednesday no more?

Hi folks, 

I'm in need of help. "Waiting On Wednesday" WAS a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. This meme used to spotlight upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I used to participate all the time when I was more "active" on the blog. I don't know what happened, but when I visited her blog just now it looks outdated and like it hasn't been visited in years. 

I'm legit sad. Anyone know of other bookish moms that spotlight YA releases? Let me know please, much appreciated. 

Review: The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2)

Title: The Wiked King (The Folk of the Air #2)
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 336

My Review:

You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.  The first lesson is to make yourself strong.  After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.  When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world. -goodreads.com

I hate Taryn. She can choke on a big one... She legit is the definition of a traitor to her own blood. Her name should be a synonym for disloyalty. I read somewhere that she's just doing what she "thinks" is right? The f...? 😒 

Ok, now that I got that off my chest... Onto the review, Wicked King picks up right after Cruel Prince (you can read my weird emotional review HERE). Cardan is now King of the realm but is in a way being manipulated by Jude. Ok, not in a way but as in 💯percent being manipulated by Jude. He can't do anything major without the approval of her. Idk why but it bothered me that he's always drunk. Cardan is a great character but when it comes time to BE GREAT, he backs off. Jude is great, I love her. I hate that she trusted the wrong people.

I absolutely adore the world that Black has created. I honestly can't get enough of it. The ending killed me... Literally. I'm not the one typing this, it's my ghost form the great beyond. She's just sticking around bc she has unfinished business with this series and apparently won't be able to move on until November of this year (which is a lot better than January 2020, which was the original release date). Any who, have you read this series? Give me your theories, talk to me, put me out of my miseryyyy...

Review: The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)

Title: The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1)
Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 336

My Rating:

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. -goodreads.com

Holy mother... I should have waited and NOT listened to Ashley over @ The Tattered Page (sorry girl, I'm totally going to throw you under the bus haha). You need to start this series ASAP, she said... You'll finish it quickly, she said... Yeah, but what she forgot to mention was that this book will legit break your heart into a million pieces, throw them on the floor and stomp on them too! Seriously... If you're a fan of YA/Twilight/Mortal Instruments- YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!

*Slight SPOILERS* The romance aspect is weird af. Like, I ship Jude and Cardan 100% but at the same time I hate him (and at the end end of this book, I kinda hated her). I've never been in this situation, I'm a hopeless romantic and I usually either love or hate, no in-betweens. But after finishing TCP my heart is everywhere. Ssssoooo much betrayal, from literally everyone.... There were several times while reading that I had to do a re-read to make sure I read what I thought I read (don't know if that makes sense). I hope I didn't give too much away and can someone please call/test/tweet me!? I need to talk about my feelings hahaha... I am a very blessed girl, I have book two waiting as I type. The million dollar question now is; do I read it now, or wait closer to Book 3's release which isn't until freaking January 2020!? Decisions, decisions.... Oh what the heck, who am I kidding... I'm starting this bad boy now. 

Movie Monday (9)

Just a meme I came up with that should help me look forward to posting on Mondays because if there's anything I love more than books, it's movies :)

This weeks topic:

Top 5 Movies of 2018

5. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
I'll admit, I didn't expect much when my brother asked me to go see this one in theaters. I cried and laughed equally. Such a powerful movie. 

4. Black Panther 
Such a blast! This was the 1st major superhero film with a predominantly black cast. Marvel really stepped up their game with BP! I hope there's a sequel in the near future.

3. The Shape of Water
Don't judge me. Loved this film! Yes, it really is about a mute caretaker in a government facility who develops a relationship with an alien/human being held in captivity. I've never rooted for a non-species couple haha!

2. Annihilation
Umm... an all-female team of scientists investigating a strange phenomenon in a Florida swamp? Hell yeah! This movie had plenty of "Go Girl!" moments.... The whole premise of Area X reminded me of the call of duty video games. A tense film that will have you guessing until the last min.

1. A Quiet Place
This movie's about a family living in a futuristic world inhabited by monsters who attack at the slightest sound of any noise. Whoever thought of this premise is a genius! It was utterly fascinating sitting in an already quiet theater and holding your breath... Just wow!

Review: Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1)

Title: Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 345
 
My Rating: 

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts. Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth. With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more. -goodreads.com

This book was so much fun! Harper was easy enough to relate to, but she did get a bit annoying at times. I wish she would have gave into her feelings for David much earlier in the story, it would have made things way easier... but then again I guess there wouldn't have been such an addicting plot... Curse you, Hawkins! The plot progressed at a steady pace, bringing about questions that I needed answers to. Just as one question was answered, another would arise and I would keep saying, "one more chapter!" I want me own Paladin (a warrior and protector), or maybe I can just become one so I won't have to depend on anyone else haha!

My favorite thing about this book is Harper's humorous snark, loved every dialogue between her and David. There were plenty of, "You go girl!" moments and I really wasn't expecting that ending. Only thing I sort of disliked was the romance aspect. The fact that Harper already had a boyfriend really put me on the top of the love triangle. I'm all for staying loyal so it felt weird to secretly be rooting for her and David. A fun fast read that has left me craving for book 2.

Review: Pretty Crooked (Pretty Crooked #1)

Title: Pretty Crooked (Pretty Crooked #1)
Author: Elisa Ludwig
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 368


My Rating:

Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most? -goodreads.com

Quick read but it kept me entertained until the very end. So many unanswered questions that actually motivate me to want to go buy the next book... So why only 3 hearts?

Lets begin with the positives. Not trying to steal someones quote, but I read somewhere on good reads that this book is the perfect combination of Mean Girls and Robin Hood, and truer words have never been spoken. I laughed so hard at some parts that my roommate probably thought I was going crazy! But at the same time, my heart felt for Willa during other parts... I get it, she steals and no book should "hype" that up... but what Willa did was so much more than that, in my eyes. Having been in the shoes of the "scholarship kid" I would have been the first to hug and cheer for Willa. These girls were bullies and I hated how the whole school secretly adored them.

Now onto the negatives...The dialogue was super cheesy at times, it had me eye rolling. I hated how Willa always trusted the wrong people. Plus, this book felt like it fed into stereotypes (the black guy with a record? Come on!). The thing the probably pissed me off the most was the ending and answered questions. What's going on with the mom? Why have a major cliff hanger ending with no resolution? Was this all just a marketing ploy to get me to buy the next book?... Because it's working. I'll let you know how book 2 treats me.